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Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark (22) makes a bounce pass into the lane past the defense of Team USA center Brittney Griner (15) during the WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center in Phoenix on July 20, 2024.

'She Did Not Want To Play': Caitlin Clark Had Last-Minute Chance To Join Olympics According To Reports

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 11:11 AM ET

Caitlin Clark, with how highly she is regarded in women’s basketball, had the opportunity to join the now-concluded 2024 Paris Olympics. But it isn’t in the way one would expect. Considering what she brings both in skill and publicity would have made it a no-brainer to add her to the roster.

The Indiana Fever guard was offered a spot to play on the US Women’s 3×3 team, to which she decided not to take on. Taking it from Christine Brennan, a sports columnist for USA Today and a basketball commentator, and her new book, “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports”, Caitlin Clark was asked,

“Did Clark want to go to Paris on this U.S. team? The answer from Clark and her team was simple: No. She did not want to play 3×3 basketball at the Olympics,” Brenna wrote.

A lot of people wanted to see her in 5×5, but that window of opportunity never came. A 3×3 appearance was not really in the books for a player of Caitlin Clark’s level.

It can be remembered how fans and enthusiasts alike were disappointed at a Caitlin Clark-less roster released by the

selection committee chair, Jen Rizzotti. She further added that the selection process was based on criteria. Experience was a factor.

“Hopefully one day I can be there.” – Caitlin Clark

Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; USA Women’s National Team forward Aja Wilson (9) against Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the WNBA All Star game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The “Triple-Double Machine” said she wasn’t disappointed and was even excited for the players selected.

An All-star worthy performance despite Caitlin Clark’s exclusion from Olympic 5×5

Caitlin Clark’s current run with the Fever has been setting the temperature ablaze with her on-court performance this 2025 season. As a solid all-rounder, her value as a franchise carrier could not be better explained.

Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark (22) against USA Women’s National Team player Kelsey Plum (5) at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

She’s currently within the top 4 scorers with 19.8 points per game, she’s tied at the top with 8.9 assists per game, and currently the most turnovers per game with 5.6. All numbers that show what an elite player Caitlin Clark is. With all of this momentum, she only has one definite measure of success this season.

“A championship.” – Caitlin Clark when asked at Indiana Fever Media Day on what success looks like.

Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark (22) against the USA Women’s National Team during the 2024 WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It’s still early in the season, so there’s plenty of room for the shining guard to add to those stats and make her case for the LA28, but not before adding to her accolades at home first.

For a valuable player like Caitlin Clark, missing the 2024 Olympics is just another footnote to a promising career.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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